Obituaries

Jun 28, 2026

Phyllis Jean Thoman, age 90, passed away Sunday, June 28, 2026 at SBL Fayette County Hospital Long Term Care in Vandalia, IL.

Phyllis was born May 19, 1936 the daughter of Glenn Goodman and Julia J. (Jarrett) Goodman in Fayette County, IL. She touched many people's lives over the years with her generous heart. Phyllis was a wonderful teacher for 30...

Jun 26, 2026

Robert Lee "Bo" Hunt, age 88 of Forsyth, IL, formerly of Ramsey, IL, passed away Friday, June 26, 2026 at The Arc at Hickory Point in Forsyth, IL.

Bo was born September 8, 1937 in Carson Township in Fayette County, IL, the son of Robert and Irene (Leigh) Hunt. He married Janis Roberts on June 24, 1956. They celebrated their 70th...

Jun 19, 2026

John Henry Swain, age 79, of Vandalia, IL passed away Friday, June 19, 2026 at St. John's Hospital in Springfield, IL.

John was born July 28, 1946 in Harlan, KY, the son of Bill and Chloe (Mitchell) Swain. He married Donna K. Hess on September 20, 1969 in Robinson, IL. She passed away on April 21, 2016. John served his country...

Jun 19, 2026

Melvin Charles McKinney, age 74, passed away Friday, June 19, 2026 at his home in Vandalia, IL surrounded by family.

Melvin was born December 20, 1951 the son of Marvin McKinney and Irene (Gaffner) McKinney in Fayette County, IL. He married Brenda Sue Lape on October 1, 1977 in Vandalia, IL. She passed away on December 3, 2022. Melvin was a...

Jun 18, 2026

Hans Christian, age 49, passed away Thursday, June 18, 2026, at St. Louis University Hospital in St. Louis, MO.

Hans was born December 5, 1976, in Vandalia, IL, the son of Nancy (Ray) Christian. He married Brandy Meyer on July 14, 2022 in Ramsey, IL. He worked the past couple years as a truck driver. Prior to that, he worked with...

Jun 15, 2026

Mildred “Millie” Blaylock, age 100 of Assumption, IL passed away on Monday, June 16, 2026, at the Rose Garden of Pana, IL.

Millie was born July 16, 1925, in Bayle City, IL, the daughter of Roy and Mary (Hoover) Davidson. She married Dean Boaz in 1946, and he passed away in 1962. She later married Robert Blaylock in 1982, and he...

Jun 10, 2026

Carolyn Ann Trotter, age 83 of Vandalia, IL passed away on Wednesday, June 10, 2026 at her home. 

She was born January 19, 1943 in East St. Louis, IL, the daughter of Elmer John and Albertine "Minnie" (Whetsell) Krause. She married Don Carlos Trotter on April 7, 1962 in East St. Louis, IL. He passed away on December 28, 2000. Carolyn...

May 24, 2026

Mabelene Virden, age 88, formerly of Ramsey, Illinois, departed this life on Sunday, May 24, 2026, surrounded by family at St. John’s Hospital in Springfield, IL.

Mabelene was born 8 March, 1938, in Hurricane Township, Fayette County, Illinois, the daughter of Hettie Rhoades (Blythe) and Alvia Rhoades. She later married Norman L. Virden on 4 September 1960 in Ramsey, Illinois. Norman...

May 11, 2026

Joni Thea Withers, age 68, of Centralia, IL, passed away Monday May, 11, 2026 at the Fireside House in Centralia, IL.

Joni was born June 7, 1957 in Vandalia, IL the daughter of Roger Z. "Rod" Withers and Beverly Jean (Hall) Chapman. Joni was a gifted artist and loved animals, especially her cats.

She is survived by her step-father; John C. Chapman...

May 6, 2026

Gary E. Stine, age 88 of Vandalia, IL, passed away peacefully at Vandalia Healthcare and Senior Living on Wednesday, May 6, 2026.

Per Gary's wishes, cremation rites will be accorded. A memorial service will be held on June 20, 2026 at 3:00 pm at Miller Funeral Home in Vandalia, IL with Justin Craig officiating. A visitation will be held one hour...

Apr 23, 2026

Sharon Rae Carter, age 78, of Effingham, Illinois, formerly of Vandalia, passed away on Thursday, April 23, 2026. She was born on March 8, 1948, in Sterling, Illinois, to Harold Cecil and Hazel (Addair).

Sharon married Garry Carter on December 19, 1970. They shared nearly 52 years of marriage before his passing on September 27, 2022. Sharon was a dedicated CNA...

Apr 22, 2026

Betty Rose Worker, 94, passed away on Wednesday, April 22, 2026, at Pana Health and Rehab, in Pana, IL.

Betty was born April 25, 1931, the daughter of James and Rose (Bauerle) Sanders in Fayette County, IL. She married William Roy Worker on February 25, 1951, in Ramsey, IL. They shared a wonderful 36 years together before his passing on April...

Apr 19, 2026

Wanda Kay Berner, age 73, passed away Sunday, April 19, 2026, at Effingham Healthcare and Senior Living in Effingham, IL.

Wanda was born October 27, 1952 the daughter of Wilbur LeRoy Burner and Norma Jean (Lambert) Berner in Pana, IL.

She is survived by her brother; James Berner, sister-in-law; Helen Stanley, and several nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her...

Apr 13, 2026

Linda Lou Mabry, age 87, of Vandalia, IL passed away Monday, April 13, 2026.

Linda was born July 7, 1938 in Ramsey, IL, the daughter of Marvin Sanders and Thelma (Durbin) Sanders. She married Larry Dean Mabry on July 24, 1955 in Vandalia, IL. Linda was affiliated with the First Christian Church in Vandalia, and worked for many years in her...

Apr 12, 2026

John Charles Hampson, Sr., age 77, of Ramsey, Illinois, passed away on Sunday, April 12, 2026. He was born on May 12, 1948, in Brooklyn, New York, to Charles and Dorothy (Magalinski) Hampson.

John married Ann Marie Shimkus on October 2, 1979. John proudly served his country in the United States Army for several years. He worked as a dry wall...

Apr 9, 2026

Shirley J. Frick, age 89, of Glen Carbon, Illinois, passed away peacefully on Thursday, April 9, 2026, at Meridian Village, with her loving family by her side.



Born on December 17, 1936, in Wolf Creek, Illinois, Shirley was the cherished daughter of the late John and Carrie (Mann) Williams. On July 29, 1955, she married the love of her life, Rev....

Apr 7, 2026

Carolyn Dee Koonce, age 77, of Vandalia, Illinois, passed away on Tuesday, April 7, 2026 at her home. She was born on February 10, 1949, in St. Elmo, Illinois, to Jay Dee and Lara Effie (Vaughn) Harnden.

Carolyn married Sam Koonce on March 7, 1981 in Vandalia, IL. Together they shared 45 years of marriage. Carolyn retired from Brockway, as an...

Apr 4, 2026

Kenneth Steven "Steve" Lay, age 77, of Ramsey, Illinois, passed away on Saturday, April 4, 2026 at his home surrounded by family. He was born on October 7, 1948, in Vandalia, Illinois, to Kenneth and Shirley (Marsh) Lay.

Steve married Jennifer (Frailey) Lay on October 6, 1996. His hobbies included golfing and duck hunting. Over the years he taught science and...

Apr 2, 2026

Mary Ann Miller, age 83 of Ramsey, IL passed away Thursday, April 2, 2026 at her home in Ramsey, IL. 

She was born April 2, 1943 in Vandalia, IL, the daughter of Glen Maurice and Marjorie Craigie (Campbell) Stombaugh. She married Larry Miller on August 27, 1966 in Vandalia, IL. Mary taught art at Cowden-Herrick schools, and also taught history and...

Mar 20, 2026

Beril Carl Gillman, age 86, of Ramsey, Illinois, passed away peacefully on Friday, March 20, 2026. He was born October 17, 1939, in Hillsboro, Missouri, to the late Richard and Lucille (Huskey) Gillman.

Beril was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, and friend. He was united in marriage to Linda Warner Gillman on June 27, 2018,...